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Cancer research

Long-term Fine Particulate Air Pollution Exposure and Risk of Gastric Cancer Mortality in Taiwan

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent study published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A has investigated the association between long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) and the development of gastric cancer (GC) in Taiwan. The research, conducted by researchers at Kaohsiung Medical University, aimed to examine the potential environmental influence on GC mortality rates across different municipalities in Taiwan.

The study collected age-standardized GC mortality data for the years 2012-2021 and correlated it with PM levels divided into tertiles. The results showed a significant inverse association between PM levels and GC-related mortality in both men and women, contradicting the expected positive correlation. This finding suggests that further investigation is needed to understand the possible adverse effects of long-term exposure to PM on GC-associated mortality.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study investigated the association between long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) and the development of gastric cancer (GC) in Taiwan.
  • The research collected age-standardized GC mortality data for the years 2012-2021 and correlated it with PM levels divided into tertiles.
  • The study found a significant inverse association between PM levels and GC-related mortality in both men and women.
  • The adjusted risk ratio (RR) for men was 1.04 (95% CI = 0.97-1.11) and 0.89 (95% CI = 0.82-0.95) in municipalities in the middle and highest tertile, respectively, compared to the lowest tertile.
  • The corresponding adjusted RRs for women were 1.04 (95% CI = 0.94-1.13) and 0.85 (95% CI = 0.77-0.94), respectively.
  • The study concluded that further investigation is needed to understand the possible adverse effects of long-term exposure to PM on GC-associated mortality.

Statistics:

  • The study collected age-standardized GC mortality data for the years 2012-2021.
  • The research divided PM levels into tertiles, with corresponding PM ranges: lowest (9.44-18.95 mg/m), middle (18.96-25.19 mg/m), and highest (25.2-29.46 mg/m).
  • The study found a significant inverse association between PM levels and GC-related mortality in both men and women (p-value < 0.05).

Sources:

  • Long-term fine particulate air pollution exposure and risk of gastric cancer mortality in Taiwan. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, 2025:1-10.
  • Taylor & Francis Inc, 530 Walnut Street, Ste 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA.
  • ChunYuh Yang, Dept. of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

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